WOW Guys! Thank you so much for the warm comments of concern and support. I understand all of the suggestions for 2nd opinions etc. Well, you guys who don't know me, don't know that I pretty much exhaust all possible and accessible opportunities for clarification and confirmation before going public. My brain stem stroke a year ago did not precipitate this current situation and is unrelated to the disease pre or post stroke. The stroke simple being an unfortunate additional medical event to deal with in conjunction with what was already in process.

I will be honest with you all also, I'm very tired! I have been dealing with this roller coaster disease vs. diagnosis, 2nd and 3rd opinions, countless CTs and MRI's, blood work, and trips to Medical College of Virginia and University of Virginia neuro treatment/pain eval and management centers, since 2000. Not to mention the hours of personal research on the net. Either this process or I are getting old. I really think it's me!

Good news is my basically new $9,000 power wheelchair is being completely reconfigured so now I will be able to use it throughout the entire house. Much of this rebuild is due to me losing 52lbs. since late April (not intentionally either) and a rehab rep who really is "professional" in knowledge and practice. How refreshing! I should have the rebuild by the end of January. Although, I'm sorry to announce I will not be competing in the Olympics this year for the "Wall Walking" and "Furniture Bouncing" events. I seem to have drastically lost my ability for accuracy. BUMMER! I know!

Christmas was totally "AWESOME!" My son flew in from Chicago for 7 days and my daughter's family, including my 4 and 6 year old grandsons, were here from Thursday through Sunday evening. Exhaustion was the standard for me during the visit. I even stopped taking my medicine so I could spend quality time with my family rather than sleeping and suffering the side effects. I'll be keeping you guys informed although, not a frequently as before. Posting is very challenging and exhausting for me. This post took me about an hour to write, as an example. Oh well, Forever Forward!

Wishing you all a very Happy and safe New Year celebration.

P.S. I apologize if this looks familiar to some of you who post on other boards I visit. I find cutting and pasting the only way to convey my messages now vs. unique posts stating basically the same thing on each board.